Exports from Vizag SEZ up 35% in H-1

Exports from Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone (SEZ) increased about 35 per cent during the first half of the current financial year, compared with the same period last year.

The growth came on the back of improved economic situations across the globe, said SEZ officials.

This year exports increased to Rs 619 crore during the first half as against Rs 459 crore last fiscal. For the year 2009-10, units in the SEZ earned Rs 918 crore, as against Rs 902 crore in the preceding year. This marginal rise was mainly due to the recession.

About 61 units are currently operational in the SEZ and another 20 are under implementation. Most of these units will start operations during the next financial year, officials said.

Major exporters in first half were Opto Circuits (Rs 174 crore), Worldwide Diamond Manufacturing Private Limited (Rs 96.44 crore), Oil Field Warehouse Services (Rs 159.44 crore), HDL Power Systems Private Limited (Rs 38.50 crore), Nitin Cylinders (Rs 12.76 crore). These five units accounted for 77 per cent of the exports.